RICHARDSON, Texas – In a tight thriller from start to finish, the East Texas Baptist University men's basketball team dropped a 69-68 heartbreaker to the University of Texas-Dallas. This loss snapped an eleven game winning streak by ETBU and also puts their record at 19-5 and 12-3 in the conference. Despite the loss, ETBU clinched the ASC East Division championship for a second time in program history.
Trailing by four with eleven seconds to play, Bret Atkins would hit a three-pointer to put ETBU within one. With five seconds left, a steal by Junior Mitchell gave ETBU a chance to win the game but he was unable to convert as UTD hung on to the victory.
For ETBU, three players landed in double figures as Atkins led all scorers with 15 points. Jordan Quillian (eight rebounds) and Mitchell each had 14 points. Eric Horton dominated the game defensively with 14 rebounds and five blocks to go along his eight points. For UTD, Kyle Coultner had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Chase Davis and Caleb Banks had 13 points each while Ben Smith had 10 points and eight rebounds.
For the game, ETBU outshot UTD 60% to 50% from the field. UTD would outshoot them 84.6%-66.7% from three point range and 73.7% from the free throw line while ETBU had 63.6%. ETBU outrebounded them 45-42, but they had 12 assists to UTD's 16.
The first half was a tight battle, but after a three pointer by Augustine to make it 5-2, UTD would retake the lead and go on a 17-9 run to make it 19-14. ETBU would tie the game on a three by Atkins, but the Comets would answer by grabbing the lead back. After a free throw by Jay McKnight made the score 24-23 in UTD's favor, the Comets would finish the first half with a 9-2 run to take a 33-25 lead at the break.
The momentum for UTD continued as would extend their lead ten points in the second half at 41-31. But ETBU would claw their way back into the game as they went on a 10-4 run to make it 45-41 deficit for them. For the remainder of the game, it seemed that everytime ETBU would get closer, UTD would extend the lead even more. When Quillian made a jumper at the 7:43 mark, ETBU trailed 52-50. Once again, UTD would extend the lead to seven only for Mitchell to answer with five straight points.
Atkins would hit a three and give ETBU a one point lead. The two teams would then trade leads on free throws. With a minute to go, ETBU trailed 64-62. But Smith would hit free throws that would prove to be the difference despite ETBU making one last charge.
ETBU returns home for their final home regular game of the season this Thursday night against Belhaven. It's also senior night for the seniors. Tip off time is at 7:00 pm.
